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October 22, 2024
August 5, 2024
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
STAFF REPORT
Budget hearing by Ryan Spilman, Chief Financial Officer.
Substitute Retention Plan and Staff Report Dr. Jason Memoli, Chief of Staff
BOARD ACTIONS
The Board approved the following agenda items:
Recommendation of employment for new personnel, reassignments, and certified/non-certified adjunct teachers (see attachments at the link below)
Resolution of Board of Education to County
Election Board Authorizing and Calling for Special Bond Election on February 11, 2025
Approval of the Proposed Amended Operating
Budget
Approval of Rates of Pay Schedule for temporary jobs effective
November 1, 2024
Motion regarding the Guest Teacher Retention Plan for the 2024-
2025 school year
Agreement with Vizionaries ENT LLC./Poetry and
Chill for writing sessions at PC High School, PC North High School, and Tulakes Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year
Resolution for the Putnam City School District
Annual Election to the Oklahoma County Election Board
Motion regarding revision(s) to District Policy BA – District
Administration
Motion regarding revision(s) to District Policy DI – Leave
Motion regarding revision(s) to District Policy EF – Attendance
For a full list of Board meeting items and attachments, please view the full agenda on our website.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
STEVE BURGER was happy with the new board meeting opening that incorporates our students. He thanked Mr. Spilman for all of his financial oversight, looking out for the District. He also thanked Dr. Memoli for his presentation and work on taking care of our Guest Teachers. He spotlighted the Putnam City High and Putnam City North football teams and their fantastic seasons so far. He encouraged PCN and PCW to organize alumni events similar to PCH Alumni Weekend.
JAY SHERRILL thanked Gail LoPresto and Dr. Rhodes for the incorporation of students at the start of the board meeting. He also thanked Mr. Spilman for the work going into the financial planning for the District. He also thanked Dr. Memoli and everyone for their work on the Guest Teacher program. He mentioned the upcoming Steve Largent jersey retiring this Friday and how he got to meet him a while back. Lastly, he shouted out all of the PTO/PTA programs at our schools, administrators, and everyone that was involved in supporting our teachers during Parent-Teacher conferences this last week.
JUDY MULLEN HOPPER mentioned that she was excited about the Guest Teacher program that was highlighted. She said she would like to see the pay for our full-time teachers be raised to cover classes.
GAIL LOPRESTO was happy to see the celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month in the District. She congratulated and thanked all of the principals and bosses in our District. She appreciates the bus drivers and their tireless efforts every day and joked that she is thankful that she is not driving the buses. She appreciated the tremendous impact on our district by Katherine Bishop. She acknowledged how all of our teachers have November 5th off so they can go vote and encouraged everyone to exercise their right to vote. Lastly, she mentioned that her Board seat, Seat #5, will be up for election as she is choosing not to run again. She said, “I love doing this, but I love the teachers and children of the District more. It is time to pass the torch to younger people.”
Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 5pm
Location: PC Administration Building
In Attendance: Board Members: President Gail LoPresto, Vice President Steve Burger, Jay Sherrill, and Judy Mullen Hopper; Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes, Deputy Board Clerk Chantil Baldwin
Next meeting: Monday, November 4, 2024, 5pm
Student Leaders to Open Board Meetings
We are excited to introduce a new Board Meeting tradition of incorporating our high school student leaders to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence. This new tradition is guided by our District's mission statement of empowering students to achieve personal success and enrich the community.
Tonight's student leader was Putnam City High School senior, Lauren Knox. Lauren is the daughter of Stephanie and Joe Knox. Lauren has been involved in theater, dance, choir, Speech and Debate, and the National Honors Society. Lauren will be graduating in the top 1.5% of her class with a 4.310 grade point average. She has been recognized as an All-Star Actress at the OSSAA One Act competition both years that she competed and has been recognized regionally for multiple Speech and Debate events.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Tonight, we are pleased to share several exciting updates from across the District. A few minutes ago, the Board heard a presentation from Chief of Staff, Dr. Memoli, regarding a newly proposed Guest Teacher Program. Several have been working on this proposal for the last couple of months. This proposal will be an item on the Board agenda tonight. If approved, this initiative, designed to address the recruitment, retention, and support of guest teachers in our District, will be a win-win. With the goal of increasing our active pool of guest teachers by 20% and improving the overall fill rate from 61% to 75%, we’re making strides toward more consistent classroom coverage. The program offers a tiered payment system, incentives for long-term commitments, professional development opportunities, and a welcoming culture for our guest teachers. This program will be key in maintaining the high-quality educational experience we aim to provide for our students.
Next, I want to express my gratitude for yesterday’s Teaching and Learning Conference, which was an outstanding success. Thank you to our curriculum coordinators, administrators, and guest speakers for their efforts in organizing and presenting such an impactful day of learning for our Putnam City Teachers and Staff. A special acknowledgment goes out to our teachers for their engagement and dedication in ensuring that “Every Beat Counts” this school year. Your commitment to continuous improvement sets the tone for excellence across our District.
We are super excited to be introducing the 2025 Innovation Bond Proposal which the Board will vote on tonight. This Bond will bring innovative and essential upgrades to various areas of the District, without raising any taxes. The improvements will enhance our facilities, technology, and learning environments, and create a new Innovation Campus serving the Health and Wellness for students and staff across the District. Voting on the 2025 Innovation Bond will take place on February 11th (the week on Valentine's Day), so be sure to mark your calendars and spread the word! We are eager to share more details in the weeks leading up to election day. Your support is vital as we strive to elevate the opportunities and experiences available to our students.
And finally, this weekend is Alumni Weekend at PC High. The weekend is filled with many activities, but I would like to highlight that the jersey of Steve Largent will be retired at halftime of Friday night’s football game. Steve Largent is a 1972 graduate, a Putnam City Foundation Wall of Famer, a Putnam City Athletic Hall of Famer and his NFL record includes being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Steve Largent has continued to be involved and very supportive of Putnam City High School and our athletic programs. We are very proud to call him “One of our own.”
-Dr. Fred Rhodes
DISTRICT DATES & EVENTS
November 5 - No School, District/High School Offices Open
November 14 - Native American Family Night 6-8pm PCW Cafeteria (Flyer posted below)
November 16 - Cancer Classic 9:00am Eldon Lyon Park (Registration information below)
November 25-29 Thanksgiving Break No School, District Offices Closed
HAPPENING AROUND PC
PC School Board Approves 2025 Innovation Bond Resolution
The 2025 Innovation Bond Special Bond Election is set for February 11, 2025.
Please mark your calendars to vote and boldly invest in our future of PC Schools the week of Valentine's Day!
To learn more about the exciting projects included in the Bond for each school and districtwide, visit our 2025 Bond website at putnamcityschools.org/2025bond
NEW Guest Teacher Pay and Incentives
Putnam City Schools is excited to announce the implementation of a new Guest Teacher Program, aimed at increasing the pool of guest teachers by 20%. This initiative includes a competitive tiered compensation schedule and incentive package focused on boosting retention rates and providing a more supportive environment for substitute teachers across the District. The pay program is retroactive to the start of the 2024-2025 school year. We are excited to honor and support our current hardworking guest teachers across the District and welcome new ones!
Working as a Guest Teacher in Putnam City Schools is a fantastic choice for local college students, retirees, parents, and those looking to earn some extra money with the flexibility to create their own schedule.
To learn more about the Guest Teacher Program at Putnam City Schools, please visit our website at https://www.putnamcityschools.org/page/guest-teaching
PCN Panthers Inspire Elementary Students Through ASL
High school students from Putnam City North recently shared their knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) with younger students at James L. Dennis Elementary, fostering communication skills and building connections across PC campuses.
Let Us Tell You About Our Best Friend
Meet Hazle and Clover, two of the most beloved guests at Will Rogers Elementary! Hazle is a national champion therapy dog registered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, while Clover is still working hard towards her own registration. Together, these two canines have made a remarkable difference, helping to improve reading skills by calming anxiety and providing support to teachers and students during sensitive times. They've also been known to assist with health-related issues, making a positive impact in our school community every time they visit!
Who Runs The World? STEM Girls!
5th grade girls from across elementary schools in Putnam City had the opportunity to attend STEM Day at Southern Nazarene University! They worked with female STEM Scientists in their labs, viewing experiments and writing about their observations. Introducing STEM fields and topics at a young age is critical to helping students better understand the vast and equal opportunities available while building their confidence and abilities.
Campus Police Teaches JROTC at the Range
Talk about a unique experience! PCW and PCH JROTC Cadets joined forces with our very own Putnam City Campus Police at the gun range, learning critical gun safety and trying out some pretty cool machinery guided by the professionals. Campus Police then topped off the experience by grilling up some lunch for the cadets.
District Teaching and Learning Conference
Check out our teachers at the District Teaching and Learning Conference, mastering the art of integrating new positive and interactive learning strategies into our students' everyday education! Here in Putnam City, we understand that not every student operates the same; therefore, we embrace the task of gaining knowledge about different ways to maintain student success. Every student has their beat and it is up to us to amplify that beat and make... EVERY BEAT COUNT
PC PROUD
National School Bus Safety Week | Oct. 21-25
Designed to promote school bus safety, school districts throughout the country observe School Bus Safety Week. We thank our bus drivers, mechanics, and the entire transportation department for their dedication to the overall safety of our students to and from school each and every day.
New York Times Bestselling Author Visits Putnam City
There's nothing quite like the feeling of opening a brand-new book, especially one signed by the author! Scott Reintgen - Author visited the Overholser Oilers and Western Oaks Elementary Warriors. He talked about his newest book, "The Last Dragon on Mars," and answered many questions about his life as a full-time award-winning author!
PC Aviation goes live with News 9
Putnam City Aviation went live this on the KWTV - NEWS 9 Coca-Cola Porch showing off many of the amazing aspects of the program. We always love it when Reporter Jordan Ryan and the News 9 Porch come to visit PC Schools!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Look Who Made Their Way To D.C For Recognition
One of our very own, D. D. Kirkland Early Childhood Center Principal Ashley Hoggatt, is the 2024 Elementary Principal of The Year and the National Distinguished Principal of The Year! She travelled to Washington D.C. last week, representing Oklahoma and Putnam City Schools as she received this honorable recognition. We are so luck to have one of the best!
Investing In The Future By Empowering Classrooms
We’re thrilled for Ms. Ferrell on receiving a classroom grant from Charlie's Car Wash! As a new teacher at Putnam City West High School, this grant will go a long way in helping her create a foundational and functional classroom that she can proudly use for years to come. Congratulations, Ms. Ferrell!
Congrats to our KOCO 5 News Teacher of the Month!
Congratulations to Putnam City North's orchestra teacher, Mr. Jeremy Scott, for being named the KOCO and Quail Creek Bank Teacher of the Month! Your dedication and passion for music education continue to inspire students and enrich our community.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
16TH ANNUAL PUTNAM CITY CANCER CLASSIC
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH | ELDON LYON PARK, 7400 NW 36TH ST, BETHANY, OK
In support of Putnam City Schools' longstanding partnership with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), the PC Cancer Classic is a fun opportunity for students, families, staff members, and the community to come together to stomp out cancer.
All proceeds benefit cancer research at OMRF.
For more information, click here
Check out our new online District Store for fun graphic tees, jackets, hats, backpacks, and polos!
🔗 https://putnamcityadmingear.secure-decoration.com
FOR PICK UP OPTION PLEASE ENTER SCHOOL NAME IN THE NOTES SECTION AT CHECK OUT
Be PC Proud! Have a story of an amazing achievement by a PC student teachers, group or team?
Putnam City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, identity, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disability. Translations are completed by Google Translate.